Substance abuse clinic eyed for Spring Hill
SPRING HILL –
A substance abuse medical treatment clinic is being proposed for Kass Circle in Spring Hill.
Operation PAR will ask planning and zoning commissioners July 11 for a special exception use permit to operate the clinic in an existing 5,371-square-foot commercial building on the west side of Kass Circle, just north of Spring Hill Drive.
The company plans to renovate the building and operate its Medication Assisted Patient Services (MAPS) program, a substance abuse treatment plan for people addicted to pain pills, heroin, Oxycotin and other opiates.
They will be treated by licensed doctors, nurses and medical assistants and be given a physical examination, laboratory workup, an in-depth assessment, individualized treatment plan and regular counseling.
It is not known how many employees would staff the clinic.
The patients will generally arrive by 5:30 a.m. and receive treatments until around 11 a.m. so they can go to work.
The storefront is surrounded by retail and shopping on the south and east and multifamily homes to the west.
Planning staffers are recommending approval of the special exception permit.
Ann-Gayl Ellis, spokeswoman for the Hernando County Health Department, said a clinic for recovering addicts is needed in this area.
“Unfortunately, drug use and abuse is a growing concern in our community,” Ellis said. “Increased access to treatment for those who suffer from addiction will contribute greatly to the health of our citizens, families and workforce.”
Based in west central Florida, the nonprofit Operation Par Inc. has operated for more than 40 years.
The agency currently provides addiction and mental health services in Broward, Pinellas, Lee and Manatee counties, according to its website. It started as a volunteer agency with a handful of employees but now has more than 425 employees.
The existing building at 1245 Kass Circle served as a child daycare for 20 years until it closed about two years ago and was placed on the market for sale.
Walter Selph, representing the applicant, said Operation PAR has committed to purchasing the property subject to an approval of its permit request. It will then renovate the interior of the building and turn it into a medical facility.
Planning commissioners will discuss the proposal at their meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. July 11 at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.
